Jake Gyllenhaal is an American actor and producer. He began his career back in 1991 with the film "City dudes" and for 28 years of acting he managed to appear in a huge number of high-quality and commercially successful projects. His first serious work was the role in the film “October Sky” (1999), where he played a schoolboy from Virginia, seeking to obtain a degree. Since then, he has been actively acting in diverse films, trying on various roles that he successfully copes with.
It should be said that the actor takes part in various projects, but most of them are warmly received by the audience and even critics. Today we’ll look at better films with Jake Gyllenhaal in the title role. And start with one of his first works.
The film "October Sky" (1999)
The film was based on the story of a NASA engineer, Homer Hickam. After the launch of the first satellite (carried out by the USSR) in 1957, Homer literally fell ill with space and decided to construct a rocket with his own hand. He even turns to the famous rocket builder, but the boy’s father is categorically against his venture. But Homer is ready for anything to fulfill his dream.
The rating is 8 out of 10. Viewers note that this is an inspirational and positive film that perfectly shows the 50s of the last century. Initially, the picture was called "Aircraft manufacturers." However, later the creators reasonably reasoned that a film with this name would not cause much interest among the audience.
The day after tomorrow (2004)
Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role in the disaster film looked very harmonious. According to the plot, the Earth is undergoing global climate change. Glaciers are melting, and where it has been warm recently, arctic frost sets in. Climatologist Jack Hall is trying to save his son, who remained in the tsunami-flooded city, which is rapidly freezing due to low temperature. At this time, his teenage son (Jake Gyllenhaal) is struggling to survive in unsuitable living conditions.
The film received very positive reviews. Rating - 8 out of 10. The game of actors, the work of the director and cameraman, special effects are at the highest level. The meaning of the film is clear and understandable to everyone - we are only guests on this planet, which can destroy us at any time.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
The world's first two gays western. Jake played Jack Twist, and Heath Ledger (Ennis Del Mar) became his partner on the set and lover. This is a dramatic picture of the love of two men who are prevented by the prejudices of society from being together. It should be noted that after the release of the film, Jake even began to be called bisexual. In an interview, he admitted that this is the highest rating of his work, although in real life men never attracted him physically.
Rating - 7.6 out of 10.
In 2005, several more films were released with Jake Gyllenhaal in the title role. The next work of the actor was the film "Proof".
"Proof" (2005)
Jake's partners on set this time were Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins. The latter played a crazy mathematician, after the death of which his best student (Jake), based on his old records, is trying to make a great discovery. The daughter of a deceased professor (Gwyneth Paltrow), however, believes that the student wants to steal her father's ideas.
Rating - 7 out of 10.
Marines
The Marines is a 2005 film that showed viewers the tough daily routine of marines in the desert during the Gulf War. This is a military drama based on real events. With a heavy load behind him and a sniper rifle in the hands of Anthony (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his squad, it is not easy to go through the desert, where it is impossible to hide from the unbearable heat and fearless Iraqi soldiers that can arise on the horizon at any moment.
The rating is 7.4 out of 10. The 2005 film The Marines received various reviews from critics, but Jake's work was appreciated.
The Zodiac (2007)
The zodiac with Jake Gyllenhaal in the title role is a psychologically difficult film. It is based on real events and tells the audience about the serial killer Zodiac, who has committed atrocities on the streets of San Francisco for 12 years (from the 60s to the 70s of the last century). His case remains one of the most terrible and unsolved mysteries, because the killer was never found by the police, like Jack the Ripper.
The film received very positive reviews and was warmly received by critics and nominated for a number of American awards. Rating - 7.6 out of 10.
The Brothers (2011)
This is a military drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Toby Maguire and Natalie Portman. The film tells about the fate of officer Sam Cahill (Maguire), who is sent to Afghanistan. Before leaving, he asked his unlucky brother Tommy (Gyllenhaal), recently released from prison, to take care of his wife and his children. When Sam is captured by the rebels, he is considered dead in his homeland. Tommy, however, conquers the love of her nieces and falls in love with Sam's wife - Grace. However, soon Sam, having survived a strong emotional shock, returns ...
Rating - 9 out of 10.
"Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" (2010)
This is an action adventure based on the game of the same name. Jake's partner was the charming Gemma Arterton, and his opponent was played by Ben Kingsley. The film tells about the young prince Dastan, who lost his kingdom due to the wiles of enemies. Now he must steal a powerful artifact that can turn back the clock.
The high-quality film "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" in the style of fantasy delights viewers with excellent special effects, beautiful costumes and excellent actors' play. Rating - 8.6 out of 10.
The film "Love and Other Medicines" (2010)
This is a sweet and funny melodrama with a small amount of tragedy. Persons over 17 years old are allowed to view it, as the picture contains scenes of a sexual nature and obscene expressions. Nevertheless, this is a good film about true love, which is beyond the control of reason.
Jake Gyllenhaal played Jamie - the seller of "Viagra" and a ladies man. However, he fell in love with Maggie (Anne Hathaway) - a girl suffering from the initial stage of Parkinson's disease. Alas, the disease is incurable, but does Jamie need a girl with such a serious illness?
Rating - 7.9 out of 10.
Source Code (2011)
Captain Colter Stevens comes to life on the train. He is talking to a girl who seems to know him. But then a monstrous explosion breaks his mind. He comes to his senses a capsule, which is under the supervision of Dr. Colleen Goodwin. She tells him that he is inside the "Source Code" - a program that allows you to return to the past for 8 minutes, transferring consciousness into the body of another person. Colter's task is to find the bomb for all this, which led to a monstrous tragedy. However, will he be able to do this, because he has only 8 minutes?
This is a dynamic techno thriller that keeps the viewer in suspense until the very end of the film. He was praised by both viewers and critics. Rating - 7.8 out of 10.
The Patrol (2012)
This is a crime drama in which Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña played inseparable cop friends. The streets of Los Angeles are teeming with criminal gangs and the everyday life of police officers is not only tense, but also dangerous.
The film's rating is 7.9 out of 10. The film received positive reviews and was named one of the best films in the last 5 years.
The Enemy (2013)
The psychological film "Enemy" starring Jake Gyllenhaal is an atmospheric and intense film. In the center of the plot is Adam Bell, who once buys a tape with an unknown film and sees his double on the screen. Wanting to learn more about the actor, he begins his own investigation, which plunges him into the abyss of metaphysical theories.
The film's rating is 6.3 out of 10. He received many awards, and Gyllenhaal was nominated for Best Actor.
The Captives (2013)
Jake Gyllenhaal in the movie "Captives" plays detective Loki. This atmospheric psychological thriller did not leave anyone indifferent. The plot focuses on the fathers of two girls who were kidnapped on Thanksgiving. The suspect is soon released due to lack of evidence. Therefore, one of the desperate fathers takes the man hostage, deciding to administer justice on his own. Now all the police and detective Loki are looking for him.
The rating of the film is 7.7. Gyllenhaal's cast in The Captives and Hugh Jackman was praised by critics. In general, the film also received positive reviews, even from critics.
Stringer (2014)
Louis Bloom makes crime reports and makes good money on it. However, this work is quite dangerous. After all, the heroes of his reports are people who do not leave witnesses. In addition, Louis once becomes a suspect in a crime after another shooting from the scene ...
Rating - 7.4 out of 10. This role is very unusual for Gyllenhaal, who often appears before the viewer in the role of a good character. However, his game is magnificent, as well as the plot of the film, viewers say.
Lefty (2015)
A dramatic film that inspires viewers to fight pain and mental weakness. Jake plays a boxer whose world collapses after the death of his wife. His daughter is being taken from him. All he can do now is return to the ring and prove that he is worthy of the trust of those who are dear to him.
Gyllenhaal's play was highly praised, even though the film itself was called "not going beyond the limits of the genre." Rating - 7.5 out of 10.
Destruction (2015)
This is an incredibly vital dramatic film. It is filled with quite deep symbolism, although the viewer does not have to interpret each frame in the hope of understanding the essence - truth on the surface. After the death of Julia's wife, the hero of Gyllenhaal Davis Mitchell realizes that he does not feel anything. Nothing at all. This emotional blindness is abnormal, he understands this. But how to get out of the abyss?
The rating is 7.1 out of 10. The film received mixed reviews from film critics, but was highly appreciated by viewers who saw in it the atmosphere and meaning that not everyone could understand.
"Under cover of night" (2016)
An atmospheric dramatic thriller in which Jake played two roles at once - the former lover of the heroine / writer and the hero of his novel. Susan Morrow successfully realized herself professionally, but her marriage is bursting at the seams, she is lonely and locked in the cocoon of her own protective mechanism - indifference. The novel, which her former lover Edward sends her as a gift, awakens the woman. She reevaluates her life and realizes that only with Edward was truly happy. At the same time, the viewer on the screen observes the development of events taking place in the book.
Rating - 7.3. The film was noted by many positive reviews and a large number of nominations and awards. This is a psychologically difficult but deep film.
Stronger (2017)
Jeff Bauman lost both legs as a result of the terrorist attack. However, he managed to remember the face of the terrorist and described him in detail, which helped to find the criminals. Alas, while the townspeople consider Jeff an example of masculinity and stamina, the guy himself does not consider himself as such. He is more and more bogged down in alcoholism and laziness, despite the presence of his beloved girl nearby. Can Jeff overcome himself and become stronger?
Rating - 8.7 out of 10. This is a truly inspiring film, during which Jake managed to convey the metamorphoses that occur with his hero.
Velvet Chainsaw (2019)
An American satirical horror film in which Gyllenhaal starred as art expert Morph Vandewold. The picture shows how profitable the sale of works has become. One day, his assistant finds paintings by an unknown artist who recently died. Morph sees something unique in them, but soon terrible events begin to happen to everyone who has acquired the paintings.
The rating is 7.7 out of 10. The film is rather ambiguous, however, it received a lot of positive feedback.
Conclusion
So, we reviewed the best films starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Today he is at the peak of popularity, and, undoubtedly, many more paintings with his participation are waiting for us. It should be said that in the films "Patrol", "Stringer", "Wildlife" and "Stronger", he also acted as a producer.